Being bottom or near the bottom has merit.
It means we are not interested in the run-of-the-mill way in which we are being taught....Our mind is elsewhere.
FANTASISING
Many people who bottomed out at school have gone on to be rich and successful, not due to their pass marks, but because of their IMAGINATION.
So in order to succeed in our FAILURE, we have to think of our failed situation as a good place to start from.
Good marks will not secure you an interesting life.
Our imagination will!
My cat, Wilson has never read the "cat manual". He brought home these toys from the pre-school up the road. One toy each night. He was rather disappointed when I returned them!
21 comments:
Peggy ...LOVED what you said >>>
On a lighter note I found this story below:
A story of a now prominent writer when he was a college student. He wrote in one of his English compositions, “The girl stumbled down the stairs and lay prostitute at the bottom.”
In the margin, the teacher wrote, “My dear sir, you must learn to distinguish between a fallen woman and one who has merely slipped.”
That had me really chuckling!!!!
And as to failure ....
I always believe (unless I forget) ...our plans often fail in order for God's plan to succeed.
xxxx
Peggy, I love the cat story.
Regarding failure: There is a popular American poster that teachers hang in their classrooms to encourage perseverance. I have since found that there is more to the story behind each of these situation as is the case in most situations in life, but here is the gist nonetheless:
1831 ‑ 22 yrs. ‑ defeated in business
1832 ‑ 23 yrs. ‑ defeated for the house
1834 ‑ 25 yrs. ‑ failed in business
1836 ‑ 27 yrs. ‑ nervous breakdown
1838 ‑ 29 yrs. ‑ lost an election
1843 ‑ 34 yrs. ‑ lost congressional race
1846 ‑ 37 yrs. ‑ ran for office and lost
1848 ‑ 39 yrs. ‑ ran for office and lost
1855 ‑ 46 yrs. ‑ lost senate race
1856 ‑ 47 yrs. ‑ unsuccessful in his bid for the vice presidency
1858 ‑ 49 yrs. ‑ lost senate race
1860 ‑ 51 yrs. ‑ became president of the United States – Abraham Lincoln
I suppose failure can also be seen as a matter of perspective as evidenced in the cleaning product Formula 409 which supposedly is how many tries it took before they got a product that worked. :-)
Cheers,
Annemarie
I thorougly enjoyed that, especially this delightful little photo. I think my husband will love this. I plan to share it with him. There is so little value placed on imagination. This is why sometimes, I must place a setting for Sully's imaginary friend, Froggy-the-Turtle. =)
What a beautiful post.
My Sophie must know Wilson and they must be secret friends. She's never read the manual and has quite an attitude to boot. Do you think they've been calling each other and us not knowing it??
Have a wonderful Sunday and.......
Steady On
Reggie Girl
This post resonated with me because I seem to have a son that is not academic at the moment and it gives me hope, maybe his imagination will get him through.
I didn't know cats could do that! Cute.
Finders, keepers. Wilson brought you presents and you returned them ? auggggggh. poor kitty.
Great post Peggy! I always need a good reminder about failure (or the lack thereof). I tend to be very hard on myself in this area. Honestly, your wise comments that you have left me on this subject are making a big difference in my life. Instead of failure I now see "tried." At least I tried! Just look at your cat...lol...what an achievement!!!
I love how you said this....
And Wilson is a hoot! That was quite a stash he had accumulated. Reminds me of my dog, Scout. He used to pass Hannah's Barbie dolls through the fence to the female doggy neighbor next door. She would slip him doggy chew toys in return.
Hugs,
Roban
I really had to chuckle out loud at Wilson. He really brings these things home? How amazing!
So well said ... and in honour to have a new wise blog friend, you are just awarded the Kreativ Blogger Award! Yeah! Come to my place to claim it! ;)
THAT is hilarious! silly cat.
Hey Peggy - I come to your blog and your words are timely. I 'failed' today. I missed a deadline - I was considering just frantically putting anything in rather than fessing up that I had failed. But then chose to be honest (I am not perfect) and so... now I have an extension :-) Life is flexible - we make room for 'failures' (!)
BTW, I do indeed have an octahedron fluorite for you! Will wrap it as soon as I get a mo (honestly things have been mad hectic round here). Your cat is a sweetie. I lost my gorgeous kitty at the weekend (a geat sadness for me). He was hit by a car. I miss him terribly.
Thanks everyone for your input. I will have to tell Wilson (my cat) he has a fan club in blogland!
He is one of the most gorgeous, loving cats I have ever owned...or ever been a slave to!
Cheers
Peggy
As always, a lovely post :) Great positive way to think of life and put things in perspective. I've always said we grow the most through our adversities and failures. They help us to become better and more creative people!
Thank you so much for all the kind words you've left over at my blog, Peggy :) You are such a sweetheart and I appreciate you so much. Your attitude is beautiful and contagious! I'm so happy to call you my friend :)
Have a Happy Day!
Oh Wilson..what a cutie! At least it's not dead animals:)
I wasn’t academic at all, but I sure wish my imagination would slow down (if it’s responsible for my life lol) Wow I’ve never heard of a cat doing that, mice, lizards… but never toys. Do you own any stuffed toys?
Peggy, can I borrow Wilson for a week or so - I live near a bank!!
Imagination - yes I agree with this. However, I would never have told my daughter that when she was studying. I think we have to really try and ascertain our childs strengths and loves and encourage them all we can. Do what you love is the key. I am still looking, he he.
And Stevie is my favourite. I think you and I would survive a lobg car trip together - love your taste in music!!!!
Wilson is precious. He must have been so proud of his finds.
My cat brought me a sausage the other day that he found outside somewhere. Who knows where he got it but he was beaming.
Wilson. What a handsome fellow he is! Love his white boots.
I've been singing along to "If Not For You" and wondering why I know every word and now I have it! It was an Olivia Newton John song and I adored her!
Oh, and now a very mature-sounding Enya. I may never leave!
Kat
wilson rocks! :)
So sweet that he brought you home some presents! He was probably very proud of himself.
Loved your post. I know someone who didn't graduate high school and is now a multimillionaire.
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